Method and apparatus for a mold barrier

ABSTRACT

A mold barrier eliminates the establishment and continued resurgence of microbial colonies on product dispenser components routinely exposed to fluids and food products. The mold barrier may be utilized in a product dispenser to prevent the establishment of mold colonies on the product dispenser. The mold barrier adheres to potentially exposed surfaces to create an impenetrable boundary layer, thereby preventing the errant product from permeating into porous materials not suitable for product contact. Upon contacting the mold barrier, the errant product moves downward. Residues left from the errant product may be removed when the product dispenser and mold barrier are sanitized during routine cleansing operations. Upon sanitization, the product dispenser may be restored to a sanitized condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to food product dispensing equipment and,more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods and anapparatus for creating a mold barrier in a food product dispenser.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the food product dispensing industry, product dispensers must conformto stringent design criteria to receive approval for public use from theNational Sanitation Foundation. While National Sanitation Foundationapproval does not guarantee the elimination of cleanliness problems, itdoes minimize the possibility of cleanliness issues. National SanitationFoundation design criteria addresses all food contact components, aswell as a food product dispensing area known as a “splash zone.”However, components disposed beneath or beyond the surfaces of the“splash zone” may prove to be problematic at a later time.

The “splash zone” may include components that are removable forsanitizing purposes. While that solves the problems of sanitizing the“splash zone” components, it does not address items disposed beneath orbehind the “splash zone” components. While a splash plate may serve asan effective means for containing sprays and spills, it is not fullyeffective. For instance, in drop-in ice cooled dispensing equipment, anarea behind a splash plate often is routinely exposed to over sprays,spills, splashes, and the like. While the exposed portions of productdispensers are routinely sanitized, those components located behind theexposed portions may be hard to reach or are composed of materials notconducive to cleansing or sanitizing, and therefore may create futureproblems.

As product dispensers are typically in the field for years, smallcleansing issues normally out of view may fester for extended periodswithout proper attention. Illustratively, a foamed portion of a towerlocated directly behind a splash plate may be doused often with either aconcentrate or a diluent or both. If untreated, the area may developmold in the exposed area. Mold on any food product dispenser may beunsightly, cause a health risk, or if left untended, the mold may spreadand ultimately force the condemnation of the product dispenser.

Accordingly, a method and apparatus that eliminates the characteristicsconducive to the establishment and continued propagation of a moldcolony in a product dispenser would be beneficial to consumers,dispenser operators, food product producers, as well as themanufacturers of the food product dispensers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus for amold barrier eliminates the establishment and continued resurgence ofmicrobial colonies on product dispenser components routinely exposed tofluids or food products. The mold barrier provides an impenetrablebarrier to fluids that may normally come into contact with permeablecomponents, thereby preventing permeation of permeable components. Themold barrier may then be sanitized to restore the mold barrier, theproduct dispenser component, and the product dispenser on which the moldbarrier is installed to a sanitized condition.

The mold barrier adheres to potentially exposed surfaces to create animpenetrable boundary layer, thereby preventing the errant product frompermeating into porous materials not suitable for product contact. Uponcontacting the mold barrier, the errant product moves downward. Residuesleft from the errant product may be removed when the product dispenserand mold barrier are sanitized during routine cleansing operations. Uponsanitization of the mold barrier surfaces, the product dispenser may berestored to a sanitized condition.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a moldbarrier for use on product dispenser components containing poroussurfaces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a productdispenser including a mold barrier.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide amethod for eliminating the establishment and continued propagation ofmicrobial colonies in a product dispenser.

Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light ofthe following. Also, it should be understood that the scope of thisinvention is intended to be broad, and any combination of any subset ofthe features, elements, or steps described herein is part of theintended scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a provides a detail view of a product dispenser component crosssection according to the subject invention.

FIG. 1 b provides an exploded view of the product dispenser componentconstituents according to the invention.

FIG. 1 c provides a perspective view illustrating the relationshipbetween the mold barrier and an exposed surface of the product dispensercomponent according to the invention.

FIG. 1 d provides a flowchart illustrating the method steps for creatinga mold barrier according to the invention.

FIG. 2 a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser utilizing amold barrier according to the invention.

FIG. 2 b provides a flowchart illustrating the method steps for creatinga mold barrier according to the invention.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a tower dispenser according to anillustrated example of the invention.

FIG. 4 provides a detail view of a tower portion including a moldbarrier according to the illustrated example.

FIG. 5 provides an exploded view of a tower portion according to theillustrated example.

FIG. 6 provides a section view of a tower head containing a mold barrieraccording to the illustrated example.

FIG. 7 provides a flowchart illustrating the method steps for restoringa product dispenser to a sanitized condition according to theillustrated example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is further to be understood that the figures are notnecessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to showdetails of particular components or steps.

In a simplest form, a mold barrier 200 encapsulates porous componentsthat may be utilized in a product dispenser, and may be potentially ortemporarily exposed to environments or products that may containbacteria or may serve as a platform for the establishment of a moldcolony. The mold barrier 200 provides a sanitizable surface, therebyrestoring the product dispenser components to a sanitized condition. Asshown in FIGS. 1 a-1 d, a section 207 of a product dispenser component205 includes an exposed surface 206, section surfaces 208, and the moldbarrier 200. The mold barrier 200 may include an inner face 201, anouter face 202, and section surfaces 209. The product dispensercomponent 205 may be any type of component containing a porous surfaceas required by a product dispenser, including tubing, insulation, wovencomponents, electrical harnesses, foam inserts, elastomeric seals, andthe like. Product dispenser components 205 containing porous exposedsurfaces are susceptible to permeation by fluids and malleable solutionsincluding pastes and gels. Examples of fluids and pastes that maypenetrate the porous surfaces include beverages and food products.Examples of material types for the various components may includefabrics, insulations, foams, elastomeric sealing components, woodcabinetry, and wood pulp based products.

The mold barrier 200 is an impervious liner, and may be constructed fromvirtually any material of a nonporous nature that is resistant to commonsanitization chemicals, polystyrene or ABS (acrylonitrile butadienestyrene), for example. Preferably, the mold barrier 200 is of a thinconstruction to minimize impact on an apparatus outside of its intendedpurpose. The mold barrier 200 may be flexible to conform to an irregularsurface, or the mold barrier 200 may be applied as a spray that adheresto an exposed surface 206 of the product dispenser component 205 andforms a solid nonporous protective coating similar to a spray paint. Themold barrier 200 may further be constructed from other resins, metals,curing gelatins, pastes, ceramics, glass, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1 b, the inner face 201 of the mold barrier 200 isplaced adjacent to the exposed surface 206 of the component toencapsulate the exposed surface 206. It should be clear to one ofordinary skill in the art that the relationship between the exposedsurface 206 and the inner surface 201 of the mold barrier 200 isrepresentative of the complementary surfaces of the product dispensercomponent 205 and the mold barrier 200 disposed about the productdispenser component 205. The mold barrier 200 may be restrained in placeutilizing mechanical restraints or the mold barrier 200 may be appliedto the exposed surface 206 to form a curing film, thereby adhering tothe exposed surface 206. One of ordinary skill in the art will furtherrecognize that product dispenser components 205 formed in place may beutilized to adhere to a preformed mold barrier 200. Illustratively, atwo-part foam may be shot into a foaming fixture containing a moldbarrier 200. During curing, the foam permanently adheres to componentscontacting the foam, including the mold barrier 200.

In use, the mold barrier 200 is placed adjacent to the exposed surface206 of the product dispenser component 205, such that the inner surface201 of the mold barrier 200 is adjacent to and encapsulates the exposedsurface 206 of the product dispenser component 205. In this position,the exposed surface 206 of the product dispenser component 205 isprotected from contact with fluids, errant product, weather factors, andairborne microorganisms. The impervious construction of the mold barrier200 prevents fluids from penetrating the mold barrier 200 to reach theexposed surface 206 of the section 207, as well as the product dispensercomponent 205. The elimination of the porous exposed surface 206 beingexposed to fluids prevents the saturation of the porous exposed surface206 with organic fluids, product, or contaminated fluids, as well as anyassociated residues that remain after the porous exposed surface 206dries. Fluids or products coming into contact with the mold barrier 200remain on the outer surface 202 of the mold barrier 200 or move downwarddue to gravitational forces. Any residues remaining on the outer surface202 may be removed and neutralized by wiping the outer surfaces 202 ofthe mold barrier 200 with a sanitizing solution, thereby restoring theproduct dispenser component 205 to a sanitized condition.

FIG. 1 d provides a flowchart illustrating the method steps associatedwith utilizing a mold barrier 200. The process commences with step 25,wherein a mold barrier 200 is placed adjacent to an exposed surface 206of a product dispenser component 205, such that an inner surface 201 ofthe mold barrier 200 encapsulates the exposed surface 206 of the productdispenser component 205. Once in position, errant fluids or products maycontact the outer surface 202 of the mold barrier 200 in lieu ofcontacting the exposed surface 206 of the product dispenser component205. As the mold barrier 200 is impervious, the fluids or product remainon the outer surface 202 of the mold barrier 200. The process thencontinues with step 35, wherein the outer surface 202 of the moldbarrier 200 is sanitized by cleansing with a sanitizing solution,thereby restoring the outer surface 202 of the mold barrier 200 and theproduct dispenser component 205 to a sanitized condition.

In an extension of this invention, a product dispenser 300 includes ahousing 310, at least one product dispensing circuit 311, at least oneproduct valve 312, and a mold barrier 320. The housing 310 may be anystructure suitable for containing and supporting components of thebeverage dispenser 300. Illustratively, the housing 310 may include aframe 314, and an insulation 315. The frame 314 may include anattachment means for the product valve 312 and the product dispensingcircuit 311. The frame 314 may further support the insulation 315 suchthat the insulation 315 maintains temperatures of the product disposedwithin the housing 310. Illustratively, the insulation 315 may bedisposed around the outsides of the housing 310 or around components ofthe product dispensing circuit 311.

In this extension of the invention, the product dispensing circuit 311is in communication with the product valve 312 and a product supply 313,such that a product is delivered from the product supply 313 to theproduct valve 312. The term product dispenser in this extension of theinvention is defined to include dispensers of virtually all types ofproducts including beverages and food product dispensers.Illustratively, examples of product types may include carbonated drinks,ambient drinks, juices, milks, teas, soups, condiments, sauces, flavoredwaters, and the like. The products may further require a diluent, inwhich case the product dispenser 300 could further include a diluentdispensing circuit 316 connectable to a diluent supply 317.

The mold barrier 320 is an impervious layer located adjacent to exposedporous surfaces on or about the housing 310, thereby encapsulating theporous exposed surfaces of the insulation 315, insulated product lines,electrical harnesses, and the like. In the installed position, the moldbarrier 320 provides an impermeable layer around the surfaces of theinsulation 315 that may become exposed to spills, sprays, or drops of adispensed product. Illustratively, the areas located beneath the productdispensing valve 312 run a substantial risk of becoming exposed toerrant product. In this extension of the invention, the mold barrier 320may be a preformed component that may be secured to the insulation 315using a variety of methods, or a sprayed on component. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the mold barrier 320 may beflexible to complement the shape of product dispenser 300 components.

In use, the product dispenser 300 receives a dispense command anddelivers a product or a diluent or both to the product dispensing valves312 for mixing and delivery into an operator's cup. During the executionof the dispense command, exposed faces of the product dispenser 300 maybe exposed to over sprays, drips, and spills. The errant product landson the mold barrier 320, is unable to penetrate the mold barrier 320,and is forced to move downward. As the errant product is unable to soakthrough the mold barrier 320, the errant product will remain on theouter surfaces of the mold barrier 32, and may be removed at a latertime by an operator using a normal cleansing process. Illustratively,the operator may wipe the outer surface of the mold barrier 320 with asponge soaked in a readily available sanitizing solution, therebyrestoring the product dispenser 300 to a sanitized condition.

FIG. 2 b provides a method flowchart illustrating the method steps foreliminating surfaces conducive to the establishment of a microbialcolony. The process commences with step 45, wherein an impenetrablebarrier is created on outside surfaces of potentially exposed componentsthat include penetrable surfaces. The process continues with step 55,wherein outer surfaces of the impenetrable barrier are sanitized toexterminate any microbial growth, thereby eliminating the continuedpropagation of microbial colonies on the impenetrable and the penetrablesurfaces.

While this mold barrier 320 has been disclosed as a thin layer about theproduct dispenser 300 components, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the mold barrier 320 may be formed from other types ofconstruction, including plastic wraps, shrink wrap, and anti-microbialmaterials. One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize thatthe method of application and the thickness of the mold barrier 320 mayvary with the form of construction. Illustratively, the mold barrier 320could be brushed on or sprayed on either before or after assembly tocreate an impenetrable surface. Still further, the mold barrier 320could be a preformed component suitably restrained to provide coverageto exposed porous surfaces, or even a preformed component adhered to theexposed porous surfaces.

An illustrative example of a mold barrier application in a productdispenser is shown in FIGS. 3-8, wherein a product dispenser 100includes a housing 110 having a lower portion 124, and a tower assembly125. The product dispenser 100 may be designed to suspend from acounter, such that the tower assembly 125 protrudes from a counter top.The lower portion 124 may include a storage chamber 115 for storing iceuntil use, and may further include a cold plate 112 that serves as afloor of the storage chamber 115, such that the cold plate 112 is cooledby the ice stored within the storage chamber 115. Access to the storagechamber 115 is gained through an access port 116 of the storage chamber115.

The lower portion 124 may still further include fluid flow paths 133containing inlets 138 and outlets 139 connectable to a product sourceand a diluent source for the delivery of a diluent and a concentrate tothe outlets 139 and the tower assembly 125. In this illustrativeexample, the outlets 139 are disposed at an upper end of the lowerportion 124, such that they are accessible from the top. The concentrateand diluent flow paths may be conditioned by the cold plate 112, and mayinclude flow metering and control devices commonly utilized in a productdispenser for the regulation of fluids disposed within the flow paths.The housing 110 may further include a drip tray 118 that collectsspills, sprays, and drips from dispensing operations. The drip tray 118may further close out the storage chamber 115 to protect and insulatethe ice.

The tower assembly 125 includes a tower head assembly 150, a shroud 130,a shroud cap 131, and a splash plate 120. The tower head assembly 150includes a tower head 151 and product dispensing valves 135. The towerhead 151 may include product and diluent flow paths 153, an insulation152, a mold barrier 160, a face plate 154, and a pry bracket 155. Inthis illustrative example, the product and diluent flow paths 153include inlets 164 for communicating with the outlets 139 of the productand diluent flow paths 133 of the lower portion 124 and outlets 165 forcommunicating with the inlets of the product dispensing valves 135.

The shroud 130 is of a sheet metal construction, preferably stainlesssteel to meet cleanability requirements. The shroud 130 is adaptable tothe lower portion 124 and the face plate 154 to surround and protect thetower head 151. The shroud cap 131 is also constructed from stainlesssteel, and is utilized to close out a top of the tower head assembly150. The splash plate 120 is similarly constructed from stainless steelto meet cleanability requirements. The splash plate 120 is removable,and is used to close out the portion of the tower assembly 125 disposedbeneath the product dispensing valves 135.

The insulation 152 is of a closed cell construction, preferably a twopart urethane. The insulation 152 surrounds the product and diluent flowpaths 153, thereby insulating the product and diluent flow paths 153. Inthis detailed example, the insulation 152 is formed in a foaming fixtureto simplify the insertion of the insulation 152 around the product anddiluent flow paths 153.

The mold barrier 160 is disposed around the insulation 152 to provide animpermeable layer around the surfaces of the insulation 152 that maybecome exposed to spills, sprays, or drops of a dispensed product.Illustratively, the areas located beneath the product dispensing valve135 and behind the splash plate 120 run a substantial risk of becomingexposed to errant product. In this detailed example, the mold barrier160 is a preformed thirty thousandths of an inch polystyrene sheet thatmay be secured to the insulation 152 using a variety of methods. Themold barrier 160 includes a planar face 171 having a first flange 173, asecond flange 174, a third flange 172, and a fourth flange 178. Theplanar face 171 is complementary in shape to a front face 157 of thetower head 151. The flanges 172, 173, 174, and 178 extend in a directiontowards the tower head 151, such that they are adjacent to a first side181, a second side 182, and a third side 183 of the tower head 151. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the mold barrier 160may include additional flanges or adjoining sides to further complementthe shape of the tower head 151 or additional components. The moldbarrier 160 further includes a first relief 175 in the first flange 173,a second relief 176 in the second flange 174, and a third relief 177 inthe fourth flange 178. The first relief 173 and the second relief 174allow the mold barrier 160 to pass over an installed pry bracket 155.The third relief 177 allows for the passage of the product and diluentflow paths 153 through to the lower portion 124. Illustratively, themold barrier 160 may be placed into a foaming fixture that is filledwith a curing foam, thereby permanently attaching the mold barrier 160to the insulation 152, or the preformed sheet may be secured usingadhesives, or mechanical fasteners.

The face plate 154 and the pry bracket 155 may be constructed fromformed stainless steel, and may include apertures to accommodate theinlets 164 or outlets 165 of the product and diluent flow paths 153. Theoutlets 165 of the product and diluent flow paths 153 may pass throughthe apertures in the face plate 154 for alignment during foamingoperations. The inlets 164 of the product and diluent flow paths 153 maypass through the apertures of the pry bracket 155 to gain access to thelower portion 124. The pry bracket 155 further includes attachmentpoints for connection to the shroud 130.

In this illustrative example, the tower head 151 is assembled utilizinga foaming fixture. Assembly commences with the insertion of a moldbarrier 160 into the foaming fixture. In a foaming position, the moldbarrier 160 nests in the foaming fixture, and substantially lines thewalls of the foaming fixture. Next, the product and diluent flow paths153, the pry bracket 155 and the face plate 154 are oriented in thefoaming fixture. The inlets 164 of the product and diluent flow paths153 are positioned in the apertures of the pry bracket 155, such thatthey are in positions complementary to the outlets 139 of the fluid flowpaths 133 disposed in the lower portion 124. The outlets 165 of theproduct and diluent lines 153 are then located in the apertures of theface plate 154, such that the locations of the outlets 165 arecomplementary to the spacing of the inlets of the product dispensingvalves 135. The pry bracket 155 is then oriented in the first relief 175and the second relief 176, such that the pry bracket 155 is fullyinserted into the first relief 175 and the second relief 176. Once fullyinserted, the foaming fixture may be closed, and a two part foam may beinjected into the foaming cavity. Upon curing, the two part foam adheresto the face plate 154, the pry bracket 155, the product and diluent flowpaths 153, and the mold barrier 160, and then hardens to form anintegral tower head 151. Once cured, the product and diluent flow paths153 and the mold barrier 160 in the tower head 151 are permanentlylocated in position, and the tower head 151 may be installed or removedas a unit. As shown in FIG. 6, the mold barrier 160 lines the front face157 of the tower head 151 and extends to adjacent faces, thereby sealingthe potentially exposed surfaces of the tower head 151.

Upon further assembly, the tower head 151 is mounted to the lowerportion 124 of the product dispenser 100 such that the outlets 139 ofthe lower portion 124 are coupled to the inlets 164 of the tower head151. The product dispensing valves 135 may then be installed onto theface plate 154 of the tower head 151 such that the inlets of the productdispensing valves 135 are coupled to the outlets 165 of the product anddiluent flow paths 153 of the tower head 151, thereby completing theproduct and diluent delivery circuits. The shroud 130 may then beinstalled to protect the tower head 151. The build continues with theinstallation of the shroud cap 131 onto the open portion of the shroud130. The installation of the splash plate 120 follows, thereby fullyencapsulating the tower head 151 behind the shroud 130, the cap 131, andthe splash plate 120. As the splash plate 120 is removable for cleaning,the area directly behind the splash plate 120 may occasionally beexposed to splashes, drips, or sprays when the splash plate 120 isincorrectly installed or removed from the product dispenser 100.

In use, when the product dispenser 100 receives a dispense command, itdelivers a product or a diluent or both to one of the product dispensingvalves 135 for mixing and delivery into an operator's cup. In caseswhere the splash plate 120 is removed during the execution of a dispensecommand, exposed faces of the tower head 151 may be exposed tooversprays, drips, and the like. The errant product lands on the planarface 171 of the mold barrier 160 on the tower head 151, is unable topenetrate the mold barrier 160, and is forced to move downward. As theerrant product is unable to soak into the mold barrier 160, the errantproduct may be removed at a later time by an operator using a normalcleansing process, illustratively, wiping the tower head 151 with asponge soaked in a readily available sanitizing solution, therebyrestoring the product dispenser 100 to a sanitized condition.

FIG. 7 provides a method flowchart illustrating the method steps foreliminating surfaces conducive to the establishment of a microbialcolony. The process commences with step 10, wherein an impenetrablebarrier is created on outside surfaces of potentially exposed componentsthat include penetrable surfaces. The process continues with step 20,wherein outer surfaces of the impenetrable barrier are sanitized toexterminate any microbial colonies, thereby eliminating the continuedpropagation of microbial colonies on the impenetrable and the penetrablesurfaces.

While this mold barrier 160 has been disclosed as a formed sheet ofpolystyrene that is foamed in place, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the mold barrier 160 may be formed from other typesof construction, including plastics, plastic wraps, shrink wrap, andanti-microbial materials. One of ordinary skill in the art will furtherrecognize that the method of application and the thickness of the moldbarrier 160 may vary with the form of construction. Illustratively, themold barrier 160 could be brushed on or sprayed on either before orafter the tower head 151 is foamed to create an impenetrable surface.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of theforegoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplarypurposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degreeswill fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope,accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoingdetailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims thatfollow.

1. A mold barrier, comprising: an impervious layer disposed about aproduct dispenser component including exposed porous surfaces, whereinfluids contact an outer surface of the impervious layer in lieu of theexposed porous surfaces, and further wherein, the outer surface of theimpervious layer may be cleansed to restore the impervious layer and theproduct dispenser component to a sanitized condition.
 2. The moldbarrier according to claim 1, wherein the impervious layer is disposedonto the product dispenser component and adheres to the exposed poroussurfaces of the component.
 3. The mold barrier according to claim 2,wherein the impervious layer is sprayed onto the exposed porous surfacesof the product dispenser component.
 4. The mold barrier according toclaim 2, wherein the impervious layer is adjacent to the porous outersurfaces of the product dispenser component.
 5. The mold barrieraccording to claim 4, wherein the impervious layer is preformed.
 6. Themold barrier according to claim 5, wherein the impervious layer is aplastic.
 7. The mold barrier according to claim 6, wherein the plasticis acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
 8. The mold barrier according toclaim 6, wherein the plastic is polystyrene.
 9. A method of preventingmold on porous components of a product dispenser, comprising: a.applying an impervious layer to potentially exposed porous surfaces on aproduct dispenser component, wherein exterior surfaces of the imperviouslayer contact fluids that normally enter the porous surfaces on theproduct dispenser components; and b. sanitizing the exterior surfaces ofthe impervious layer to eradicate any microbial growth on the exteriorsurfaces of the impervious layer, thereby restoring the impervious layerand the product dispenser component to a sanitized condition.
 10. Aproduct dispenser, comprising: at least one dispensing circuit adaptableto a product supply and in communication with a product dispensingvalve, wherein the at least one dispensing circuit delivers a productfrom the product supply to the product dispensing valve, and furtherwherein, the product exits the product dispensing valve; and a moldbarrier disposed on components of a product dispenser that may bepotentially exposed to the dispensed product, whereby the dispensedproduct landing on the product dispenser components does not penetratethe mold barrier, thereby providing a cleanable surface on thepotentially exposed components.
 11. The product dispenser according toclaim 1, further comprising: at least one diluent circuit adaptable to adiluent supply, and in communication with the product dispensing valve,wherein the at least one diluent circuit delivers a diluent from thediluent supply to the product dispensing valve for mixing with theproduct delivered to the product dispensing valve.
 12. The productdispenser according to claim 10, wherein the mold barrier is coupled toa tower head having permeable surfaces, thereby preventing the dispensedproduct and diluent from penetrating the permeable surfaces of the towerhead.
 13. The product dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the moldbarrier is a preformed sheet.
 14. The product dispenser according toclaim 13, wherein the sheet is a plastic.
 15. The product dispenseraccording to claim 14, wherein the plastic is acrylonitrile butadienestyrene.
 16. The product dispenser according to claim 14, wherein theplastic is polystyrene.
 17. The product dispenser according to claim 14,wherein the sheet is foamed in place.
 18. The product dispenseraccording to claim 12, wherein the mold barrier is a spray on coating.19. The product dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the spray oncoating comprises anti microbial materials.
 20. A tower head for aproduct dispenser, comprising: an insulation disposed around product anddiluent lines, the insulation including exposed surfaces; and animpervious mold barrier disposed about potentially exposed exteriorsurfaces of the insulation, wherein product dispensed onto the moldbarrier does not penetrate the mold barrier, and further wherein, theproduct dispensed onto the mold barrier may be removed utilizing astandard sanitizing routine, thereby restoring the tower head to asanitized condition..
 21. A method of preventing mold in a productdispenser, comprising: a. applying an impenetrable mold barrier topotentially exposed porous surfaces in a product dispenser; whereinexterior surfaces of the mold barrier may come into contact with adispensed product and diluent; and b. sanitizing the exterior surfacesof the mold barrier to eradicate any microbial growth on the exteriorsurfaces of the mold barrier.